Tolderol Game Reserve

Where is it?: Tolderol Game Reserve is on the edge of Lake Alexandrina between Milang and Wellington at the end of Tolderol Road which runs off Dog Lake Road. There are gates along this road which should be left the same way as you drive into the reserve.

Owner: Department for Environment and Water.

Property summary: Total area of 428 hectares – Hundred of Freeling – Sections 113, 349, 984 and 1289.¹

Landscape Management Region: Hills and Fleurieu

History: On 26 February 1970, 226 hectares comprising Section 349 and the adjoining 150 link reserve (= Section 113) were proclaimed as a game reserve. Sections 984 and 1289 were added on 10 January 1980.^{2, 3, 4}

Habitat: There are extensive areas of samphire, reed and sedges with large open areas of water. Tolderol Game Reserve has been modified into a  series of seventeen ponds or bays. At present only bays 4-7 and 17 are flooded to provide habitat for the waders and waterbirds which use the reserve. Some bays are periodically ploughed to provide a greater abundance of food resources. This also provides a clear vision of predators and allows un-impeded foraging. As these bays dry out there is an extensive cover of Marsh Club-rush (Bolboschoenus caldwellii) that provides habitat for cryptic species.

Additional areas primarily covered with common reed (Phragmites australis) can be found along the edge of Lake Alexandrina up to Tolderol Point and along the inlet channel. 

Being a game reserve there is a short duck hunting open season permitted in designated areas of the reserve and adjacent lakeshore (depending on seasonal conditions).

More information: Facebook NPWS

Total Species Recorded to Date:  164 (non-passerines 130, passerines 34)

Common Species: Golden-headed Cisticola, Pacific Black Duck, Straw-necked Ibis, Spur-winged Plover, Black Swan, Whiskered Tern, Australian Reed Warbler

Less Common Species: Baillon’s Crake, Spotless Crake, Ruff, Latham’s Snipe, Long-toed Stint, White-winged Tern
 

References

 ¹ Department for Environment and Water. (2019). Protected Areas Information System. Property Summary Report. 30 March 2019. pp. 74-75.  

 ² Fauna Conservation Act, 1964-1965: Hundred of Freeling—Game Reserves Declared. The South Australian Government Gazette. Government of South Australia: 8: 859. 26 February 1970. 

 ⁶ National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. (SA). sch 4: 3. 

 ⁴ National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1972-1978: Crown Lands, Hundred of Brinkley, County of Sturt—Tolderol Game Reserve—Alteration of Boundaries. The South Australian Government Gazette. Government of South Australia: 2: 36. 10 January 1980. 

Updated: 29/07/2021